Note: Words are shown in their original Hebrew order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1Send the tribute lambs to the ruler of the land, from Sela in the desert to the mount of Daughter Zion.
4Let my fugitives stay with you; be a refuge for Moab from the destroyer.” When the oppressor has gone, destruction has ceased, and the oppressors have vanished from the land,
5in loving devotion a throne will be established in the tent of David. A judge seeking justice and hastening righteousness will sit on it in faithfulness.
8For the fields of Heshbon have withered, along with the grapevines of Sibmah. The rulers of the nations have trampled its choicest vines, which had reached as far as Jazer and spread toward the desert. Their shoots had spread out and passed over the sea.
9So I weep with Jazer for the vines of Sibmah; I drench Heshbon and Elealeh with my tears. Triumphant shouts have fallen silent over your summer fruit and your harvest.
10Joy and gladness are removed from the orchard; no one sings or shouts in the vineyards. No one tramples the grapes in the winepresses; I have put an end to the cheering.
14And now the LORD says, “In three years, as a hired worker counts the years, Moab’s splendor will become an object of contempt, with all her many people. And those who are left will be few and feeble.”
Isaiah 16 presents a complex oracle concerning Moab, the ancient nation east of the Dead Sea. The chapter opens with a puzzling call to send a lamb as tribute to Jerusalem (verse 1), which some scholars interpret as a fragment continuing the Moab prophecy from chapter 15. The passage then oscillates between a conditional offer of refuge for Moab's refugees (verses 2-5) and a harsh pronouncement of judgment upon Moab's pride and agricultural devastation (verses 6-14). Throughout, we see the interplay between God's potential mercy and His certain judgment—themes that echo the gospel's call to humility and repentance.
Verse 1 opens enigmatically: "Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion." This likely refers to Moab sending tribute (a lamb as token submission) to the ruler in Jerusalem. Sela may indicate Petra or a high fortress; the image suggests Moab's desperation and reaching out for help.
Verses 2-3 describe Moab's daughters fleeing like "a wandering bird cast out of the nest," huddling at the fords of the Arnon River. The oracle then shifts to an urgent plea: "Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts." This addresses Jerusalem, calling for shelter and protection for the refugees.
Verses 4-5 contain the remarkable conditional promise: if Moab receives these outcasts and provides refuge, then "in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness." This Davidic throne vision—fulfilled ultimately in Christ—suggests that acts of mercy and justice align with God's character and His redemptive purposes.
Application: These verses challenge us: are we willing to extend mercy to those displaced and desperate? The promise ties righteousness to compassion, reminding us that true justice includes caring for the vulnerable.
The tone shifts sharply in verse 6: "We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so." God exposes Moab's arrogance. Despite the mercy offered, Moab's character—rooted in pride—will not escape consequences.
Verses 7-10 describe devastating agricultural collapse. The vineyards of Sibmah, Heshbon, and Elealeh—once fruitful and joyous—will be destroyed. "The shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen" (verse 9); "gladness is taken away" (verse 10). This is not mere poetic loss; it represents the collapse of Moab's prosperity and security. The prophet himself weeps over this ruin (verse 11), displaying God's sorrow even in judgment.
Verse 12 reveals the final indignity: when Moab comes to pray at the high place sanctuary in desperation, "he shall not prevail." Prayers divorced from genuine repentance and humility fall on deaf ears.
Application: Pride blinds us to both God's mercy and the consequences of our sin. Moab had been offered refuge but refused to bend the knee. We must examine our hearts: are we too proud to accept God's grace?
Verse 13 solemnly declares: "This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time." The prophecy is certain; God's word endures.
Verse 14 fixes a timeline—"within three years"—and pronounces Moab's final fate: glory contemned, multitude reduced, remnant very small and feeble. This historical judgment demonstrates that God's word is absolutely reliable, and nations that reject His merciful call and persist in pride will face inevitable decline.
Application for Today
Isaiah 16 teaches that God balances mercy with justice. He offers refuge to the humble but judges the proud. For believers, this is a call to lay down our pride, accept His offered grace, and extend compassion to others. We live in an age of cultural pride and self-sufficiency; yet our greatest strength lies in humility before God and generosity toward others. The stability of Christ's kingdom—the true Davidic throne—rests on righteousness and mercy combined.
Study Notes — Isaiah 16
4 sectionsIsaiah 16 presents a complex oracle concerning Moab, the ancient nation east of the Dead Sea. The chapter opens with a puzzling call to send a lamb as tribute to Jerusalem (verse 1), which some scholars interpret as a fragment continuing the Moab prophecy from chapter 15. The passage then oscillates between a conditional offer of refuge for Moab's refugees (verses 2-5) and a harsh pronouncement of judgment upon Moab's pride and agricultural devastation (verses 6-14). Throughout, we see the interplay between God's potential mercy and His certain judgment—themes that echo the gospel's call to humility and repentance.
Verse 1 opens enigmatically: "Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion." This likely refers to Moab sending tribute (a lamb as token submission) to the ruler in Jerusalem. Sela may indicate Petra or a high fortress; the image suggests Moab's desperation and reaching out for help.
Verses 2-3 describe Moab's daughters fleeing like "a wandering bird cast out of the nest," huddling at the fords of the Arnon River. The oracle then shifts to an urgent plea: "Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the midst of the noonday; hide the outcasts." This addresses Jerusalem, calling for shelter and protection for the refugees.
Verses 4-5 contain the remarkable conditional promise: if Moab receives these outcasts and provides refuge, then "in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness." This Davidic throne vision—fulfilled ultimately in Christ—suggests that acts of mercy and justice align with God's character and His redemptive purposes.
Application: These verses challenge us: are we willing to extend mercy to those displaced and desperate? The promise ties righteousness to compassion, reminding us that true justice includes caring for the vulnerable.
The tone shifts sharply in verse 6: "We have heard of the pride of Moab; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so." God exposes Moab's arrogance. Despite the mercy offered, Moab's character—rooted in pride—will not escape consequences.
Verses 7-10 describe devastating agricultural collapse. The vineyards of Sibmah, Heshbon, and Elealeh—once fruitful and joyous—will be destroyed. "The shouting for thy summer fruits and for thy harvest is fallen" (verse 9); "gladness is taken away" (verse 10). This is not mere poetic loss; it represents the collapse of Moab's prosperity and security. The prophet himself weeps over this ruin (verse 11), displaying God's sorrow even in judgment.
Verse 12 reveals the final indignity: when Moab comes to pray at the high place sanctuary in desperation, "he shall not prevail." Prayers divorced from genuine repentance and humility fall on deaf ears.
Application: Pride blinds us to both God's mercy and the consequences of our sin. Moab had been offered refuge but refused to bend the knee. We must examine our hearts: are we too proud to accept God's grace?
Verse 13 solemnly declares: "This is the word that the LORD hath spoken concerning Moab since that time." The prophecy is certain; God's word endures.
Verse 14 fixes a timeline—"within three years"—and pronounces Moab's final fate: glory contemned, multitude reduced, remnant very small and feeble. This historical judgment demonstrates that God's word is absolutely reliable, and nations that reject His merciful call and persist in pride will face inevitable decline.
Isaiah 16 teaches that God balances mercy with justice. He offers refuge to the humble but judges the proud. For believers, this is a call to lay down our pride, accept His offered grace, and extend compassion to others. We live in an age of cultural pride and self-sufficiency; yet our greatest strength lies in humility before God and generosity toward others. The stability of Christ's kingdom—the true Davidic throne—rests on righteousness and mercy combined.